Modders find way to install the PS4 2.50 Firmware, publish method for anyone to try

Modders at wololo.net have disclosed a method that anyone can use to install PS4 firmware 2.50.

[JMaine518]

To much work. I'm good!

[GribbleGrunger]

I wouldn't recommend doing this. Apart from the fact it isn't the official release, what else could you be installing on your PS4 ...

Too risky.

[Spotie]

And why not just wait?

[Dessel]

"The technique below does not install anything harmless on your PS4, it points the console to the official (but hidden) PS4 2.50 file, hosted on Sony’s servers. This is the exact same file that Sony is sending to their beta testers."

Wololo.net

[Dee_91]

what a bunch of wussies
wololo.net clearly states that the wololo.net software is completely harmless.. What more of a conformation do you need?!
Let me try this...

Okay, umm, do anybody know if warranty is voided if I just so happened to installed illicit software that caused catastrophic failure and a small fire.. Just out of curiosity... Some one call 911.

[AliTheSnake1]

Why would anyone do this is beyond me.
Just wait for the official release.

[neoandrew]

"what else could you be installing on your PS4"

Like... nothing?

Just think man, no one beside sony can make such software for ps4, there are literally no way someone can install somehow anything on your ps4, they can't even modify it, nor understand what is inside. The console is secure, any files digitally signed, rock solid and uncracked, a fortress.

Even game developers don't have that data, only sony knows how to make such updates, there is literally 0% chance they install something different on ps4, it is impossible for anyone to make something like this, so your argument is completely invalid - no one can install you a thing.

And it is official, it is official beta, if beta testers are risking, so could anyone else if they want.

[Conzul]

I used a file off of wololo about 2 years ago to auto-root my Xperia Z phone. Worked fine......

idk

[hoju69]

Executing unsigned code on the PS4 would open the floodgates to modding, pirating games, etc. Don't you think the hacker that achieved this would have told the world by now to boost his hacker cred? As it stands right now, nothing but official Sony approved code can run a consumer PS4 unit.

[JD_Shadow]

@hoju69: pirating, I would be against (not the same as peer to peer sharing, mind you).

MODDING a game in the way you can on a PC, though? Ehh...I think it could be worthy to at least consider that option (and Sony should look into making some official way to allow people the opportunity to do that). Modding can extend game life for single player games if you can manage the community effectively. Modding isn't inherently bad.

[UltraNova]

@neoandrew

If there's one thing I've learned in all my PC/internet years its that there's nothing, absolutely NOTHING that starts with a 'SOFT' and ends with a 'WARE' that cannot be hacked or manipulated.

[neoandrew]

@UltraNova

Then i'm happy that you have found it now - ps4 firmware, no one has the knowledge to modify it or make one beside sony.

[UltraNova]

@neoandrew

Hahahaha nice comeback my friend.

Yes they haven't found an exploit yet, but when a good hacker gets stubborn cyber-walls tend to fall.

Dont get me wrong I hate piracy as much as the next guy but I still stand by what I said, its just a matter of time really.

[Patrick_pk44]

This. You can just apply for beta firmwares and try to get in that way instead of doing this.

[ZombieKiller]

Yeah a bit of patience might save your PS4 from bricking, Sony from banning you from PSN, and any other disaster that might happen.

I would wait until it's released by Sony. Don't cut your nose off to spite your face.

[Gamer1982]

This is a workaround to install the file from official sony servers through a proxy nothing more. Its not even hard work. I remmeber this program people used to use it back in the early ps3 days to get free psn games only worked for a couple of months though and for a few games like super rub a dub lol. You could use it to goto to store pick download demo and the app would instead push the full game to your ps3. However Sony circumvented it with the activation feature instead of just having 2 installers a full and demo.

[Macdaddy71]

I agree to much work, just use the one Sony release so something happens your good with sony,.. Leave my ps4 alone... If you want to make your online playing better n your system to do awesome things,.. Just do a update as I did.
Buy a Xbox One then you have the total package!!!!! Ps4 n X1 if them two consoles don't do what you want to do as gamer, then you need a computer so if you screw it up no1 to blame besides your self!!!!!! Lol...
Having both systems is the only way to go if your a true gamer!! Now if your just a so called gamer, that claims one better then the other. You are the type that just likes to bitch bout something....

[Applejack]

No thanks, I'll wait for an official release and reduce the risk of bricking my ps4.

[Gamer1982]

There is ZERO risk its an update from official Sony servers using a proxy.. You ever used a proxy before to get on a website your been blocked from?? Thats all this is.. However I would wait anyway as it will probably be released in a couple of weeks and be a lot less buggy.

[Gwiz]

^

I strongly advise this.

[MasterCornholio]

Nope.

I dont want to brick my system with a user created modification.

[elnacho]

Read the article, this is not a "user created modification". It's the official Sony 2.50 beta, you just have to point your PS4 to the right (hidden but official) location in order to download it.

This is where official beta testers download it from in the first place, directly from Sony's servers.

[morganfell]

Have a read of common sense. When it isn't the final version it is a beta meaning all of the issues may not be resolved. You know, the sort of issues that brick systems.

[elnacho]

@morganfell: I don't disagree but this was not my point. He said it was a "user created modification", which it is not. That was my only point.

Talk about common sense as much as you want, you should actually read and understand what I wrote before replying, this would prevent starting a fruitless discussion on a misunderstanding.

[morganfell]

Common sense in my remark is undeniable. There are countless issues often present in prerelease builds. Some of these are often present for a reason to provide feedback data but these builds require the system be operated within certain parameters not common to the standard user. Improper understanding of these builds can brick a system. That is common sense.

[elnacho]

fair enough

[GreenRanger]

There'll be a security update next week, then.

[Ricegum]

Seriously, surely people can wait a week or two.

[Captain_Wormy]

Can't they just wait for an official release? Sheesh.

[ps5fanboy]

Back door hacking alert Blag....

[dawa]

No. Look at the custom xml file.
From it you can guess the link to the official beta ps4-updatelist.xml. Compare them and you'll see they are the same beside the force_update section (and a custom label). It points to the beta PUP from sony (same URL, same checksum).

[antikbaka]

why should i install not finished firmware when even officially released ones tend to break something in my console?

[Mr-Zex]

For everyone who's stating that this method will brick your systems, actually have a read of the article.

All you're doing is installing the official Sony Beta 2.50 Firmware onto your console that is available to the beta testers, no chance of bricking the system, but as it is beta of course there will be bugs.

It's very simplistic stuff, but that being said it's only if you really want to see what the fuss is about, best option is to wait til it's released to the public officially. This is just for the curious.

[morganfell]

It is still a beta. An official closed beta but still a beta. Reading 100 articles will not alter this fact.

[Mr-Zex]

How's that adding to the point I've made? I've stated it's the beta firmware and said there will be bugs?

In fact here, enjoy this quote from the website.

"Some people on external sites are saying this could brick your PS4, or that this could install some sort of “backdoor” on your PS4: those statements are false and based on nothing. The technique below does not install anything harmful on your PS4, it points the console to the official (but hidden) PS4 2.50 file, hosted on Sony’s servers. This is the exact same file that Sony is sending to their beta testers."

[morganfell]

It isn't adding to your remark but rather detracting from an opinion by anyone that feels you should try this build prior to the official release. Anyone that thinks an opinion not provided by official Sony engineers is worth trusting is being delusional.

[Dessel]

Finally someone intelligent.

[Mr-Zex]

And yet look at the amount of disagrees I get for being knowledgeable of the subject.

I forget not to write comments on N4G sometimes.

[DigitallyAfflicted]

You should write more comments never too much of common sens

[rainslacker]

May not brick your system, but modifying one's console, and installing software not authorized to run on the system is against the terms of service. I dunno about you, but having your console and account kicked off PSN because they decided to install this would be worse than having a bricked system, particularly since a bricked system can be unbricked using factory installed recovery options.

Even though this is an official beta from Sony, it doesn't mean that anyone and everyone is authorized to use it. Only those in the beta are allowed to use it, and even they have to sign an NDA to download it.

Just food for thought.

[Mr-Zex]

This is what's frustrating me; everyone is saying this is 'modifying' your console. This is not a modification, this is using the tools provided by the console as well as some address editing (essentially what you do when you enter a custom IP address that's static) to enable you to fool your console to installing the Beta firmware.

I can understand people feel intimidated by this as they consider it a hack or mod, far from the case, this is simply just installing the official firmware even though it is in beta, it is very very very unlikely it will cause your console to brick. That being said I can understand why people don't want to risk it, after all this is the internet, but what I'm trying to say is, this is far from a hack or mod but just simple editing that doesn't affect your PS4 and make it vulnerable to anything. It's just as I've said "very simplistic stuff"

[kevinsheeks]

A few of us know what you're saying, but yes it is a losing battle trying to explain that here.

[shadowT]

Why should I risk to brick my PS4? The official release is only a few weeks away.

[ThunderPulse]

People have been doing this for a week nothing new here.

[Bowzabub]

Uh, isn't this illegal?

[MegaRay]

Yup. If Sony caught ya, they'll through ya in jail. Not worth de risk I tell ya

[rainslacker]

Not illegal. You won't be thrown in jail from it. However, it is against the terms of service PS4 owners have to agree to when they first turn on the system for it to even get up to the setup screen.

So, no, no legal implications...and even if there were Sony is unlikely to pursue it, however, they could decide to ban the console, and possibly the PSN account attached to the console...which is worse than a bricked console which can be fixed fairly easily, as it requires you to replace your console.

Dunno if Sony would go that far, but it is within their rights to do so.

[Hitman0769]

^ this. plus the firmware updates are not very significant, so who cares....

[LucinaStar]

The won't ban your account from using the firmware that be just stupid.

Because a person could have firmware installed on their ps4 while having someone else's psn on the ps4 as well.

Even if they have your ip address there'd be no way to know if the person who downloaded the firmware is the same person logged in and using it.

You could have a person who doesn't own a ps4 but is using someone else's who lives with them but that person downloaded the beta using this method on their ps4. Is it right for Sony to ban their account?

[rainslacker]

Each PS4 has a MAC address and likely an internal serial number, which is easily tracked by Sony. The accounts may be different, but there isn't any way to change the MAC or internal serial without modifying the console.

Since Sony knows which consoles are registered to a particular account, and which accounts are authorized to use the beta, it wouldn't be hard for them to figure it out.

I don't know if they would or not given that it will be releasing in a couple weeks, but I wouldn't take the chance if it were my PS4 for the above stated reason. It's not worth it IMO.

Anyhow, someone up above mentioned pirating, which this could be considered, as if you download this file and use it without permission, that is indeed pirating, and while breaking a TOS won't land you in jail, pirating can. I doubt it would go that far, but either way, I just don't see it as worthwhile to get the beta a couple weeks earlier. Sony could very well decide to crack down on this stuff early to discourage future problems, so I would just advise people to use caution when considering if they wish to attempt this.

[BG11579]

I guess that because of this, Sony is going to postpone the release of the next update to beef-up security.
Thank you a***** modders...

[Emrage]

Probably not because this update is coming in 2 weeks and this would be an easy fix.

[omarcomingyo]

Why bother?

[reko]

Screw modders and cheaters!!!!!

[ziggurcat]

why is a hacking article being promoted on this website? who approved this nonsense?

and considering that there's probably a chance that it'll be released on tuesday (they posted info on the blog http://blog.us.playstation.... which usually means it's going to be released shortly), why bother potentially breaking your system?

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Hacking? LOL

[ziggurcat]

it's a known hacking website, so yes... hacking.

and this stuff should never be promoted on this website.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I don't care what the website is known for. This isn't hacking. This is similar to installing a ROM on your phone. No exploits are even required.

[GregoryRasputin]

Sorry KwietStorm i accidentally pressed disagree on your comment >.<

[GregoryRasputin]

1.) Its not a 'hacking' article, its contains information about installing an official PS4 beta firmware on a PS4, no hacking involved,

2.) It has every right to be here.

3.) The NG4 elites need to stop being so damn anal about 'hacking' sites, as it clouds you judgement and makes you look dumb with your comments.

[rainslacker]

It's not hacking, it's modification. It's not hacking in the official sense, although I guess the ripping and reinstalling of the XML file could be considered hacking in a very loose sense.

Also, I'm not aware of N4G having rules against modding articles. Maybe against the actual way to mod them...maybe a mod could clarify.

@Gregory

It contains info on how to modify your console to install an official firmware, but unless you're in the beta, and signed the NDA, it doesn't mean that people have a right to use it. Because of this, it could indeed be seen as a console hack...since XML modification can fall under the hacking moniker.

[GregoryRasputin]

No it does NOT contain info on how to modify your console, the console is not modified, the console does not get modified.

No XML files get modified either, all you do is ask your PS4 to look at the beta link, instead of the normal firmware link.

[KaoSouL]

Notify me when they've modded the firmware, and I'll give a damn.

[mushroomwig]

It's just an update, can't people wait 2-3 more weeks?

[mushroomwig]

Double comment, please ignore!

[Subaruwrx]

The people who can't wait fall in to 3 categories: 1. People who have to have something before the rest of us so they can brag about it; 2. People who have no patience; 3. People who are just plain stupid.

[Dessel]

4. People who are curious and want to try this relatively new, neat trick.

[FullmetalRoyale]

This is seriously moronic, and should not be allowed on this site. I find it completely ridiculous that you people posted and approved this.

[RosweeSon]

Good things come to those who wait.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Do this and you can fully expect to have your account information compromised, not to mention giving DDoSers a starting point for a DDoS attack on PSN servers.

[elnacho]

Random nonsense, you skipped computer science in high school, didn't you?

Feel free to use any other proxy than the one mentioned in the article, such as Charle's proxy, and you will confirm the only traffic happening is between your network and Sony's.

You can remove your tin foil hat.

[GregoryRasputin]

LOL "OMG AN OFFICIAL PS4 FIRMWARE IS GOING TO DDoS AND DOX ME AND ANALLY PROBE ME, ALL AT THE SAME TIME"

[TheTwelve]

Funny. Fools will do anything if it can be done.

[Khronikos]

Mods are cute and all, I use plenty on certain PC games, but this is just bad. Sony has the right to literally do pretty much whatever they want if this goes against the TOS. Anyone doing this is honestly a little too into firmware.

If Sony can ban my account for a hacker buying random shit through their website, which initiated me getting a chargeback from bank and then going through the whole process of negating that chargeback, I don't want to fool with anything else. That one instance of craziness was hell.

[dawa]

Again, it isn't a custom firmware. It's the official (beta) one .
They are just using a proxy and a modified ps4-updatelist.xml to bypass the check.
But yes, if something bad happens, you're fucked (because goodbye warranty).

[rainslacker]

And again, not everyone has the right to use that firmware. It's not that hard to comprehend that just because it happens to be there, doesn't mean that anyone and everyone can use it.

If people could download it without a single exploit to get to the actual beta, then sure, go for it, but circumventing official channels to get the file and then installing it on a console it isn't approved to be used on, is most definately against Sony's TOS.

Here you go, straight from Sony TOS page

6.6. You must not use any means to bypass or disable any encryption, security, or authentication mechanism for the Authorised Systems or to gain unauthorised access or to interfere with any account, service, hardware, software or network connected to Sony Entertainment Network..

I'm sorry, but doing this is clearly against that clause.

[BRINGSOCOMBACK]

LEAVE SONY ALOOONE!

[j1mf34r]

im gonna wait until the official release. Since its a beta i guess it must be stable but not 100% stable.

[Cra2yey3]

I can wait but thanks

[MultiConsoleGamer]

I would never take a chance and install something like this. I'll wait for the official release.

[LightDiego]

That's useless.

[bu3ouf91]

Both methods didn't work for me.

[altom]

Too many Modders not enough rockers

[alabtrosMyster]

Nice..... Won't try, no time, but I used to be a sucker for "beta" OSes on anything! It's probably not very risky, unledd he sneaked in some bitcoin mining software!

[PudgeyBurrito]

The firmware is fine and it comes directly from Sony servers. I installed it today. New features are sick. Suspend and resume still needs some tweaking but it works on most games so far, Awesome for netflixing so far.

[BigDollarZoe954]

I'll pass and just wait really dislike modders

[okmrman]

why are you people so stupid
its not a modded firmware

its just a way to get the 2.50 early from sonys servers

[mrdc90]

Here’s what I did. (US) Start up the proxy program but not the server yet.
Use this as the source
http://fus01.ps4.update.pla...
And this as the target
http://fus01.ps4.update.pla...
Run the server, and on the PS4 set it to the proxy’s server.
Turn off PS4, and reboot into safe mode
(download the beta update and have it in your thumb drive)
Once in safe mode, update via thumb drive giving you an error when done.
Restart the console through safe mode (don’t remove thumb drive) and it’ll start downloading on the console.

[22CobraKing]

Can't they trace where it was downloaded from and if they do I wonder if you could get banned for some time

[Kingoftherodeo]

lol love how many people are scared. but don't question rooting or jailbreaking their phones

[DarXyde]

Under what pretense do you suggest the people unwilling to try this (myself included) jailbreak their phones?

I don't.

[MrBeatdown]

You get a console ban! YOU get a console ban! Everybody gets a console ban!

[DarXyde]

It's not the final release, so "no, thanks".

I'll wait for the bugs to be ironed out first.

[DarXyde]

Double post.

Sorry, all.

[Mister_G]

Lol! No thanks, I'll wait :)

[Mr_Luke]

I'm going to wait for the original release, thanks anyway... No risk, 100% legal. If Sony didn't send me the invite to try this beta firmware, it means they don't want me to try it. So be it! =P

[marcindpol]

Official release is at most two weeks away, will wait..

[Psychotica]

You have to be pretty bored to spend time researching how to do this..

[GNCFLYER]

Give up my ability to remote play? No thanks.

This is the official FW, but I'll wait until it's official.

[Miacosa]

Time to bricking 3. 2. 1.

[ashcroft]

Some of you are incredibly ignorant about how the ps4 works.

The PS4 cannot run unsigned code, It only runs signed code and authenticated from Sony. If someone were to add something in the firmware, the firmware would need to be resigned in order for the ps4 to run it.

For the ps4 to run unsigned code your ps4 would need to be hacked and no hack for the ps4 currently exists.

So to the ones worried that this will screw up their PS4, remember...if it installs it means it's an untouched official beta from Sony.

[2pacalypsenow]

Whatch the people who do this call sony and complain for a bricked ps4 and then come here and blame sony

[kevinsheeks]

They would still have the right it's the official beta firmware nothing has been changed, basically think of it like steam when the person purchases a game and hears that it will release in a certain location earlier he uses a program to change his location to get the game earlier.

So this is basically that people change a little info to get the beta that select users got early.

[2pacalypsenow]

how many times do we see articles titled "update X.XX breaking ps4's" Thats what private betas are for , you agree to the terms and conditions that the beta might have bugs and issues and thats how they are fixed.

If its not officially released and you download it and it has a mayor bug in it and it breaks your ps4 do you still have the right? No

[LGM313]

Any steps on how this is done on a mac?